RICHMOND — Early in his college career, T.J. Pryor developed a reputation around the Ohio Valley Conference as a running quarterback.

And with good reason.

In his first two seasons at EKU, T.J. Pryor had almost 800 yards rushing and 13 rushing touchdowns.

As a sophomore, the Louisville native became the first quarterback to lead the Colonels in rushing since 1963, finishing with 505 yards on 146 attempts.

“It worked when I was younger,” Pryor said of running out of the pocket. “Why change things when you are picking up yards?”

Pryor racked up yards, but the Colonels’ spread offense didn’t produce enough points to put them in position to win championships.

“All those yards he got the first couple of years were scared yards,” EKU coach Dean Hood said. “Those were not designed runs. We don’t count those.”

Pryor hasn’t run nearly as much the past two seasons.

The senior has matured and become comfortable staying in the pocket and leading a run-oriented offense. So far this season, Pryor has completed 62 percent of his passes, has thrown six touchdowns (with no interceptions) and has run the ball just eight times.

He currently leads all FCS players with an eye-popping 180.87 passer efficiency rating despite missing the season opener at Purdue.

“I feel like I have developed into a pocket passer,” Pryor said. “I was young and I didn’t trust my O line. So, I would escape when I didn’t need to. I would use my legs. I feel like I’ve grown up.”

As his style has evolved, Pryor has steadily carved out a unique place for himself in the school’s tradition-rich football program.

The senior has the chance to set several school records Saturday against UT Martin. Pryor needs 119 yards passing to surpass Josh Greco (5,992 yards) as EKU’s most prolific passer.

He is also within striking distance of the career completions mark (449, Greco — 478) and the passing touchdown mark (42, Jim Guice — 46).

“I didn’t really know until someone pointed it out to me,” Pryor said of the records. “It is great to be able to leave (EKU) with my name in the record books. But, it only says my name. I wish it could have everyone’s else name on there that helped me get here.”

Pryor threw for at least one touchdown in every regular-season game he played in last season and finished with a career-best 18 touchdowns (the second-best single-season total in EKU history). He had multiple touchdowns in five games as the Colonels earned a share of the OVC title and got an at-large bid to the FCS Playoffs.

“The system has helped him,” Hood said of the Colonels switch to a run-oriented offense. “He doesn’t have everything on him. I think he feels more protected in there.”

Even with his stellar performance last season, the senior came into training camp fighting to keep his spot in the starting lineup.

The emergence of sophomore Jared McClain forced Pryor to take is game to the next level.

“The mentality we have on this team is that nobody’s job is secure,” Hood said. “You better come out and practice. We don’t save spots for anybody.”

Pryor suffered a hamstring injury and missed the season opener, but he’s been solid since returning to the lineup. The senior had four touchdown passes last week in a huge win over Jacksonville State and had two touchdowns (one rushing, one passing) in a victory on the road over Coastal Carolina on Sept. 15.

“(Offensive coordinator Dane) Damron was joking with him that he was glad he had this hamstring injury because it makes him stay in the pocket,” Hood said. “He can’t tuck it and run.”

EKU is set to return to action Saturday at UT-Martin. Game time is set for noon.